Mk 10:2-16
Some (Pharisees came and) put him to the test with this question, “Is it right for a husband to divorce his wife?” He replied, “What law did Moses give you?” They answered, “Moses allowed us to write a certificate of dismissal in order to divorce.”
Then Jesus said to them, “Moses wrote this law for you, because you have hearts of stone. But in the beginning of creation God made them male and female, and because of this, man has to leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body. So they are no longer two but one body. Therefore let no one separate what God has joined.”
When they were indoors at home, the disciples again asked him about this and he told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against his wife, and the woman who divorces her husband and marries another also commits adultery.”
People were bringing their little children to him to have him touch them, and the disciples rebuked them for this.
When Jesus noticed it, he was very angry and said, “Let the children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and laying his hands on them, blessed them.
REFLECTION
READ: A discussion between Jesus and the Pharisee ensued on the question of divorce. Jesus clarified to them that those bonded in marriage are made one. What Moses did to allow divorce before was a concession to human weakness. It is not the norm. Then He rebuked His disciples who stopped the little children from going to Jesus saying that they have a privileged place in the kingdom of God.
REFLECT: The norms of heaven are sometimes difficult to follow in the light of human weakness but nevertheless they remain as the norm. Earth may compromise and for a time the compromise may seem to be the new normal, but that which was ordained in heaven must remain in place. This is necessary so that the compromise will not lead to other compromises which would eventually water down the original intention of the norm. Thus there is a need to guard against relaxation.
RESPOND: There are many things about the Church that I may not necessarily agree. What are these? Perhaps an inventory of my honest disagreements with the teachings of the Church is necessary for me to see where my disagreements come from, whether they are valid or where I need to deepen further my reflection and understanding towards these subjects. Today is a good day to wrestle with what I believe.
PRAY: Lord, make me an ardent searcher of the truth. Cleanse my hearts and minds so that my own personal beliefs and inclinations do not cloud my mind and heart when truth presents itself to me and it is not according to my expectations. May I be humble enough to accept the illumination of Your Truth, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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